Hotter'n Hell Hundred is just two weeks away, if you can believe that, and we'll be headed up to Wichita Falls for a fun weekend at the expo. Stop by the BikeTexas booth and say hello! We'll have our jerseys, t-shirts, and bike lights available for purchase.

#BookLoversDay: 10+ Bicycle Reads

August 9 is Book Lovers' Day! For your reading enjoyment, we’ve put together a handful of some bicycle-related books for you to kick back with after you’ve finished your ride. Books are listed in alphabetical order by title.

All links (except where noted) are to the books' pages on Amazon. If you decide to purchase through Amazon, please log into smile.amazon.com and choose BikeTexas (Texas Bicycle Coalition) as your beneficiary. Get a good book and support bicycle advocacy!

The title poem is the only one that's bike related, but as a parody on Emily Dickinson's slightly more famous work, it's top-notch. If you'd like to introduce your kids to some classic poetry without them knowing it, or need some new bedtime reading material, or just enjoy poetry yourself, it's a winner.

A real look at our transportation costs and how bikes can help create healthier humans, boost local economies, and foster a sense of community. Also by Elly Blue: Everyday Bicycling(link is to Microcosm Publishing), a short and very sweet how-to guide for beginning riders.

This is an academic research book, so it does not read like a novel. However, it is a gem that is chock-full of key information to take to your city officials, and as such is a must-have reference for advocates.

Dr. Pucher was the speaker at our Shifting Gears Lecture Series during the 2013 legislative session.

Ride along with Portland’s former bicycle coordinator as she recounts the journey to make Portland one of the best bicycling cities in the U.S. You'll recognize many of the roadblocks and frustrations that Ms. Burk faced along the way as the same ones that continue to plague advocates across the U.S., and also be inspired at how those roadblocks were turned into mere speed bumps.

A great look at the history of who exactly pushed for modern-day roads to be built. (Non-)Spoiler alert: it was people who ride bikes! The interactive version is especially great for enjoying all the included photos and tons of historical tidbits that Mr. Reid includes in the book.

Former NYC transportation commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan came to work with a mission: Make NYC safer for pedestrians and people who ride bikes. The book chronicles successes, failures, and above all, Ms. Sadik-Khan's determination to transform her city.

Our own Robin Stallings provided the cover quote for this excellent book that covers all the basics. Not sure how to get started rolling along on two wheels? Ms. Bambrick has boiled it all down for you right here.

Action Alert: HB 117 Needs Your Support

HB 171 by Rep. Goldman will override all local mobile device ordinances and replace them with a new, weaker version. The sole purpose of this bill is to water down local decisions regarding mobile device use. Please vote NO on HB 171.

We urge you to contact your Texas Representative and tell them that you want to support HB 117 by Rep. Uresti instead. Please vote YES on 117.

HB 117 expands and strengthens our new statewide mobile device bill (HB 62). This bill is in danger of languishing in the House Transportation Committee and dying before the end of the Special Session.

Here's what you can do to support more stringent rules for cell phone use while driving:

Find your Texas Representativeand head to their contact page. Not sure what to do? See the illustrations below. (Please look up your own representative; don't just call the folks listed here--they might not represent you!)

Keep in mind that you will most likely speak to a legislative staffer, not the Representative.

We've found the following format to be useful when contacting elected officials:

My name is _____ and my occupation is _____. I live in District ____. I support Representative Uresti's House Bill 117. Please vote YES on Uresti's HB 117, and NO on Goldman's HB 171.

Relevant facts related to this legislation include:

Use of a mobile device while driving is widely recognized to be a dangerous behavior.

Distracted drivers are highly dangerous to bicyclists and pedestrians.

Local mobile device use ordinances are frequently stricter than state law. If local voters have chosen to more strictly regulate themselves, then their decisions should be honored.

The National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration urges local citizens to advocate for local laws with regards to distracted driving. Rep. Goldman's HB 171 seeks to take away that local control.

Thank you for speaking up for safe driving practices in Texas! One more way to help--please share this with any bike, pedestrian, or traffic safety groups you may be part of, plus all of your friends that want safer roads in our cities.

You are receiving this email because you are a constituent of a Texas Representative on the Texas House Transportation Committee.

HB 171 by Rep. Goldman will override all local mobile device ordinances and replace them with a new, weaker version. The sole purpose of this bill is to water down local decisions regarding mobile device use. Please vote NO on HB 171.

We urge you to contact your Texas Representative and tell them that you want to support HB 117 by Rep. Uresti instead. Please vote YES on 117.

HB 117 expands and strengthens our new statewide mobile device bill (HB 62). This bill is in danger of languishing in the House Transportation Committee and dying before the end of the Special Session.

Here's what you can do to support more stringent rules for cell phone use while driving:

Find your Texas Representativeand head to their contact page. Not sure what to do? See the illustrations below. (Please look up your own representative; don't just call the folks listed here--they might not represent you!)

Keep in mind that you will most likely speak to a legislative staffer, not the Representative.

We've found the following format to be useful when contacting elected officials:

My name is _____ and my occupation is _____. I live in District ____. I support Representative Uresti's House Bill 117. Please vote YES on Uresti's HB 117, and NO on Goldman's HB 171.

Relevant facts related to this legislation include:

Use of a mobile device while driving is widely recognized to be a dangerous behavior.

Distracted drivers are highly dangerous to bicyclists and pedestrians.

Local mobile device use ordinances are frequently stricter than state law. If local voters have chosen to more strictly regulate themselves, then their decisions should be honored.

The National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration urges local citizens to advocate for local laws with regards to distracted driving. Rep. Goldman's HB 171 seeks to take away that local control.

Thank you for speaking up for safe driving practices in Texas! One more way to help--please share this with any bike, pedestrian, or traffic safety groups you may be part of, plus all of your friends that want safer roads in our cities.

On the Lege: 85th Regular Session Recap

BikeTexas had several priority bills during the 85th Texas Legislature. The good news is that HB 62, No Texting While Driving, finally passed after many years of work and was signed into law by the governor. Under this law, drivers may not read, write, send texts, or communicate via other electronic messages while the vehicle is moving. Stricter ordinances at the local level are still law. The Special Legislative Session may pass a bill to void local hands-free ordinances.

Unfortunately, the Iris Stagner Safe Passing Act (HB 1236 by Rep. Mando Martinez/SB 1274 by Sen Jose Rodriguez), Vision Zero (HB 1677 by Rep. Celia Israel/SB 1245 by Sen. Jose Rodriguez), and Safe Neighborhood Streets (HB 1368 by Rep. Celia Israel/SB 1244 by Sen. Jose Rodriguez), did not fare well. We were given reasons that some very conservative legislators didn't like the bills because of "nanny state," "too many laws," or "should be a local ordinance only."

Generally these bills are unlikely to be won by compelling arguments that address the legislators' concerns. The bicycling movement will need to show a lot of "boots on the ground" in every legislative district that has a legislator whose votes we need (hint: all of them).

We're keeping an eye on bills that come up during the Special Session and fighting every day to make Texas a great place to walk and bike.

Cyclists in Suits 2017

We want to extend our thanks to the more than 80 citizen advocates who signed up for Cyclists in Suits on March 27. BikeTexas members and friends from across the state visited every legislative office to advocate for safe bicycling and walking. Volunteers provided information about Vision Zero (House Bill 1677/Senate Bill 1245), the Iris Stagner Safe Passing Act (House Bill 1236/Senate Bill 1274), and the Safe Neighborhood Streets Bill (House Bill 1368/Senate Bill 1244) to every legislative office.

We also extend our thanks to Richardson Bike Mart and Bike DFW, YMCA, H-E-B, Bike Houston, Bike Austin, The Bonneville, and members and friends for their financial support of Cyclists in Suits.

Special thanks to YMCA staff members and Senator Jose Rodriguez, who provided information, encouragement and training for our volunteers.

Save State Parks Funding for Texas: Contact the TX Lege Now

Sunday, 30 April 2017 18:03

HB 78 Goes Before the House Appropriation Committee on May 4

HB 78 Makes State Parks Funding Permanent

The Texas Sporting Goods Sales Tax was created to fund Texas Parks and Wildlife (TPWD)– not to be used for other purposes at the whim of the legislature. But both House and Senate appropriations committees are poised to carve out $92 million from the sporting good sales tax to do just that.

This can be fixed now! The Budget Conference Committee can correct this error before the budget is ultimately finalized. If your Senator or Rep is on the Conference Committee, ask him or her to fully fund state parks.

Additionally, House Bill 78 by Representative Ryan Gullien has been filed to fix this glitch so that the $92 million can be recovered and bring TWPD funding up to its full level. HB 78 will be heard by the House Appropriations Committee on Thursday, May 4. Please contact your reps immediately and tell them you support Texas State Parks.

In addition to developing and maintaining our priceless State Parks, TPWD provides Recreational Trails funding for trails all over the state, including rail-to-trail corridors such as Caprock Canyons, Mineral Wells, and the proposed 130-mile long Northeast Texas Trail from near McKinney though Paris to near Texarkana. This valuable work should be supported by our legislature, not curtailed through choking off funding.

Here's what you can do to support Texas State Parks:

Find your Texas Representative and Senatorand head to their respective contact pages. Not sure what to do? See the illustrations below. (Please look up your own representatives; don't just call the folks listed here--they might not represent you!)

Call or email your Rep and Senator and urge both to support HB 78 to bring TPWD up to its full funding level with YOUR Texas Sporting Goods Sales Tax.

Keep in mind you'll most likely speak to a legislative staffer, not the Rep or Senator.

We've found the following format to be useful when contacting elected officials:

My name is _____ and my occupation is _____. I live in District ____. I support Texas State Parks.

(If applicable) Please correct the $92 million shortfall in the TPWD budget by appropriating the 94% of the Sporting Goods Sales Tax that was intended for parks into the TPWD budget.

Please support HB 78 by Rep. Ryan Guillen, scheduled for a hearing on May 4 in House Appropriations Committee.

(Use any/all of the suggested talking points below as they relate to you. Help your elected officials understand why this is an important issue for you.)

State and local parks are vital to our state’s economy and to preserving our Texas heritage, culture, and way of life.

This bill would amend the Parks and Wildlife Code and permanently require that 94% of the Sporting Goods Sales Tax be appropriated for the state and local parks, as it was intended.

I am proud to join a diverse range of voters in supporting our parks. From hunting and fishing groups, to environmentalists and conservation organizations, we stand together in support of proper funding for our parks.

The Comptroller’s revenue estimate for the 2018-2019 biennium budget shows the Sporting Goods Sales Tax will bring in an estimated $333.5 million. Under the tax code, 94% of that should be appropriated for state and local parks, which would amount to $313.5 million. However, there is currently a $92.5 million shortfall in the budget.

As a proud Texan and friend of the parks, I am calling on you to fully fund the parks so that the department will have consistency in its budget and be able to properly maintain and operate our state parks for all Texans to enjoy.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Thank you for speaking up for state parks funding in Texas! One more way to help--please share this with any bike, trail, or park groups you may be part of, plus all of your friends who love Texas State Parks. Let's let the lege know Texans want great parks!